Promoter Eddie Hearn hasn’t given up on hopes that a Terence Crawford vs. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis fight can happen.
(Credit: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom)
It’s not looking good now that a fight between Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) and Crawford will ever occur, given that Hearn wants Boots to stay at 147 long enough to capture all the titles to become the undisputed champion. That could take two years, possibly three, to achieve.
That’s a waste of time for Boots because the public won’t praise him for beating the no-name champions at 147, and he’ll miss out on the Crawford gold mine.
Crawford’s Age
Crawford’s advanced age would preclude the chances of a fight with Boots materializing. The Nebraska native turns 37 in September, and he could be too over the hill soon for a match with Ennis happening.
If His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wants to see Crawford take on Boots after two or three losses, the fight could happen, but without his help, Terence’s prize tag would likely be too high for one of the other promoters to make the match feasible.
After Crawford makes a mountain of money fighting Canelo Alvarez and is soundly beaten, he’s not going to want to take a gigantic pay cut to face Boots Ennis in a fight that he’s expected to lose.
“Terence Crawford vs Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is the best fight in boxing, unquestionably,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to the media.
“Boots isn’t spoiled. The great thing about him is he’ll fight anyone. He’ll fight Crawford. He’ll fight Vergil Ortiz. He’ll fight Barrios. He’ll fight Spence, and they’re great fights to be made. That’s our job now. We got to go out and make those fights happen.
Hearn Wants Boots to Stay At 147
“Boots commercially now, I think he’ll do a good number on DAZN. The move up in weight is inevitable, but you want to do it after he’s achieved everything there is to achieve at 147. Being around him and seeing the size of him, I was quite surprised that he makes 147 the way he does.”
Is Hearn protecting his golden goose Boots by wanting him to stay at 147, where it’s safe from harm, and he doesn’t need to worry about his feathers being plucked by the dangerous wolves? The wolves at 154 are ready to raid Hearn’s henhouse to make a meal out of Boots, and Crawford would do it now if His Excellency offered him the dough.
“He believes he can go up to 168 eventually. So, I think you’re going to see someone like Jaron Ennis definitely move to 154 and definitely move to 160 over time, but I don’t like to make a move without clearing up a division,” said Hearn. “He’s won a world championship [outside of the ring]. It would just be a shame if he didn’t unify with his ability.’
Hearn just sounds like a character from Mice and Men, talking about how one day things will be great, and they can live off the “fat of the land.” Boots won’t move up to 168 if he’s going to sit where it’s safe and 147, beating no-name fighters for the next three years to pad his record.
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